Caster



Nov. 15, 1927. 1,649,087

A. THERIAULT CASTER Filed Nov. 2, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Attorney Nov. 15, 1927. 1,649,087

I A. THERIAULT CASTER Filed Nov, 2,. 1926 2 -Sheet 2 Q? /A Y /0 Attorney Cir Patented Nov. 15, 1927.

PAH;

CASHIER.

Application filed November This invention relates to an improved caster and attaching means therefor which is adapted to be used with various articles of furniture and the like. but which is particuularly constructed in the present instance for use in association with a wardrobe t-runlz.

T he alleged novelty of the improved structure is directed more particularly to a means for permitting separable connection of a roller bearing swivel caster wheel to the trunk, although the means for facilitating such connection with the trunk constitutes, a feature of novelty.

Briefly, the device which serves as a carrier for the caster per se, is in the form of a novel metal stamping which is bent up and formulated to provide a hollow attach ing box, so constructed as to permit removal and replacement of a novel connecting bolt which serves to mount the box on the trunk.

Other structural features of the invention, will become apparent from the following description and drawings.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a side elevationot a wardrobe trunk equipped with casters constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view oi the same.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged side elevation of one of the devices.

Fig. at is a sectional view at approximately right angles to Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a horizontal section through the mounting boX.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary bottom plan view showing the trunk with the caster removed, and the attaching bolt placed.

Fig. 7 is a view in section and elevation, showing thev manner in which the separable connection between the box and bolt is made.

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the improved metal stamping.

In the drawing, the reference character 1 designates the wardrobe trunk which is pro vided on its bottom and adjacent its four corners, with tour of the devices. By di rooting attention to Fig. 4., it will be seen that the bottom 2 of this trunk is provided on its inner side with a recess adapted to ac colnmodatc the depressed central portion 3 of an inner plate Secured to the bottom or under side of the bottom, is a similar but flat plate 5 the two plates being riveted in place and both of them being provided with 2, 1926. Serial N0. 145,795.

alined holes nich register with a in the bottom 2.

The improved attaching box is generally represented by the reference 6. It is 01 mulated from stamping shown better in Fig. 8. Referring to the lastnamed figure it will be seen that the stamping embodies a central bottom conforming portion 7, a pair of duplicate sides 8, a pair of duplicate top portions 9, and connecting flanges 10. lhe portions 9 are notched at 11 to provide extensions 12.

In making up the boX, the sections 8 are bent upwardly at right angles on the fold lines represented. Then, the top forming portions are bent inwardly toward each other to extend in spaced parallelism with the first portion 7. The extensions 12 are bent inwardly toward the portion '7 and at right angles to the complcmental portions 9. The flanges are also bent downwardly at right angles to be connected together. The portion 7 is formed with a. central opening 13 and the parts surrounding this opening is shaped to provide a channel. or ball race as shown in Fig. 1. o

A connecting bolt 14: passes through the flanges and carries a flat spring 15 having a downturned extremity located between the extension 12. The roller or caster wheels is represented by the reference character 16 and this is swivelly mounted on the yoke 17 which is connected to the part 7 ot' the box through the medium of a pivot and swivel pin 18. The roller bearings 19 are interposed between the bight portion of the yoke and are located in the aforesaid ball race formed in the bottom 7 of the boxing. This provides a single unit consisting of the caster swivelly mounted on the specially constructed hollow metal boxing.

The boxing is attached to the trunk through the medium of a. bolt 20 through the holes in the trunk and the plates 4 and 5. A retaining nut 21 is placed. thereon and is located in the pocket or depression 3 as shown plainly in F t. The head oi the bolt is in the form of a rectangular thin metal plate which is clamped in place by the flat spring 15. lVhen thus clamped, it is maintained against displacement even after the nut 21 is removed and the bolt is pulled out. In other words, the bolt is snapped into place in the boning. thus a bored hole gle unit of the boxing, the caster, and the bolt. Then the bolt is slipped through the holes which accommodate it and the clamping nut is placed in position.

It is desirable, however, to have the bolt removable from the boxing so that it can be replaced in the bottom of the trunk as represented in Fig. (5 in order to close the hole. If it is desired to remove the bolt, this is done as shown in Fig. 7. its here represented, the bolt is simply pressed down against the tension of the spring until the head :22 clears the extremities of the extensions or ears 12. These ears are spaced apart a distance sufliciently to permit the shank of the bolt to be slipped out between them.

lVith the bolt tints-removed, it can be placed back in the openings in the bottom of the trunk and the nut 21 replaced so that it assumes the relationship shown in Fig. 6.

It is thought that by considering the description in connection with the drawings, a clear understanding of the construction and use of .the invention will be obtained. Therefore, a more lengthy description, is thought unnecessary.

VVhile the preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it is to be understood that minor changes coming within the field of invention claimed. may be resorted to. Moreover, while the invention has applied to a wardrobe trunk, it may be understood that it may be employed in various other similar capacities, with equal efiectiveness.

Having thus described my invention, what 1 claim as new is 1. In a structure of the class described, a caster, a hollow attaching box therefor, said box being open on one side, a pair oi spaced depending cars on said open side. and a flat spring connected to the box and having its free end located between said cars.

2. In a structure of the class described, a substantially rectangular hollow box open on one side, the bottom of said box being formed with a ball race, spaced depending ears on said open side, a spring on the interior of the box having its free end located between said ears, a caster wheel, a yoke connected with said wheel, a swivel and pivot pin connecting said yoke with the bottom of said box, and ball bearings located between said yoke and box, and disposed in said ball race.

3. As a new product of manufacture, a hollow attaching box open on opposite sides, a depending flange on one side, a slot being formed in the top of the box and opening through the edge of the top at the opposite side, spaced depending ears on opposite sides of the slot, a spring on the interior of the box fastened at one end to said depending flange and having its opposite free end portion located in said cars, a bolt having its shank located in said slot, and having a fiat head bearing against said ears and held in place by said spring, and a caster swivelly mounted upon said box.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature.

ALFRED THERIA ULT. 

